Virginia Doctor and Partners Donate Relief Supplies to TCI Hospital Staff
Healthcare workers from Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital were among the persons affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria while working immeasurable hours providing essential services to the country, before, during and after storms last month.
Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician, Doctor Stephen Brock Blankenship, MD, FAAEM, based in Abingdon Virginia, United States contacted the healthcare facility expressing interest in volunteering his services for any mass casualty scenarios.
Since there were no reported casualties in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Blankenship and his wife Jennifer partnered with other donors namely Highlands Fellowship Church, Chad and Amanda Rowland, Brian and Mary Dawson, Ron and Camille Sewell along with Michael and Cynthia Hackett to organize relief items deemed essential.
A shipment was promptly received containing 59 battery operated fans including 50 packs of batteries, 46 bed linens/sheets, 53 packs of tarpaulin, 12 children-size inflatable beds, 36 adult size inflatable beds for usage in emergency lockdown cases and/or personal homes, 1000 square feet of plastic sheet, 19 inflator pumps along with LED headlamp sets.
The items were distributed among Emergency Department workers along with other clinical and support services staff based on the need and severity of damages sustained as identified by the Management of Human Resources and Facilities.
TCI Hospital Chief of Medical Services, Doctor Denise Braithwaite-Tennant expressed endless appreciation for the unexpected philanthropic gesture displayed by the aforementioned overseas donors, and Doctor Blankenship’s willingness to provide his services in a catastrophic scenario, if needed, as an act of community service.
InterHealth Canada, the management company of TCI Hospital, formed a staff welfare and relief committee immediately following Hurricane Irma to also provide tangible assistance and counseling to employees who were displaced and distressed after recent storms.
Police investigate death of 4 year old boy
Detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the death of a 4 year old male of the Bight Providenciales.
On Friday 13th October 2017 around 11:53am Police officers and other emergency services responded to the scene where it was reported that the 4-year old and his twin brother were outside playing when he fell into a sewage well in the yard.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Investigations are ongoing and further details will be provided once available.
PUBLIC FORECAST OCTOBER 17TH 2017
GENERAL SITUATION: A WEAK PRESSURE PATTERN WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE LIGHT TO GENTLE WINDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: MARINERS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR POTENTIAL WATERSPOUTS.
FOR ALL AREAS:
WEATHER: MOSTLY FAIR AND WARM TONIGHT WITH THE CHANCE OF A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS. PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY AND HOT WITH A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THE CHANCE OF ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
ADVISORY: BOATERS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS, BUT FALLING LIGHT & VARIABLE AT TIMES OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 1 TO 3 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE: 77F 25C
TUESDAY'S HIGH TEMPERATURE: 90F 32C
SUNSET: 06:42 PM
SUNRISE: 07:09 AM TUE.
MOONRISE: 05:05 AM WED.
MOONSET: 05:41 PM WED.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: A BROAD LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM LOCATED A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES EAST OF THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS IS BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, THIS SYSTEM IS ONLY SHOWING A MEDIUM CHANCE OF 40 PERCENT FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION THROUGH THE NEXT 5 DAYS.
Winnipeg opens state of the art centre for auto research
A one-of-a-kind facility designed to keep pace with the automotive industry's quickly evolving design and construction technologies has opened in Winnipeg.
The new Centre for Automotive Research and Training will help the auto industry adapt to the latest repair methods for vehicles built of complex materials, including aluminum, carbon fibre and high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels, says a news release from Manitoba Public Insurance.
"Changes in how vehicles are manufactured are having a significant impact on the repairability of new vehicles," Crown Services Minister Cliff Cullen said.
"The opening of this new research and training facility will benefit vehicle owners and Manitoba's collision repair industry by ensuring that when vehicles are involved in collisions, they will be properly repaired back to original equipment manufacturer standards."
CART is inside the J.W. Zacharias Physical Damage Research Centre in the city's North Transcona neighbourhood.
Technicians from the centre will work closely with Manitoba's repair industry and Red River College to provide training on new and emerging techniques and equipment.
That will result in significant savings for collision repair shops that would otherwise have to spend thousands of dollars to send their technicians to out-of-province training sessions, said MPI president Dan Guimond.
"This facility and the staff within it will ensure that the auto body technicians in Manitoba remain highly skilled and able to respond to rapidly changing vehicle construction and repair techniques," he said.
"Doing so ensures that if our customers are involved in subsequent collisions, they will never be put at risk to injury or death as a result of their vehicles not being repaired properly back to manufacturer standards. This also helps to ensure the value of a vehicle is not diminished as a result of being involved in a motor vehicle collision, thereby protecting the financial investments of our customers."
MPI will also partner with other collision research facilities around the world to investigate new and cost-effective vehicle repair techniques, tools and equipment, Guimond said.
Source-Auto News
InterHealth Canada handover Direct Relief Pharmaceuticals to Primary Health care Division
Direct Relief, a U.S. based non-profit medical relief and health assistance organization donated US$30,000 worth of pharmaceuticals to InterHealth Canada - Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital following a successful application by the healthcare management company.
During a media briefing on Monday, October 16th 2017 at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, InterHealth Canada graciously handed over a portion of the supplies to the Ministry of Health to support and bolster the Primary Health care Department’s inventory. The World Health Organization also donated a supply of items via the British Military. The donation helps to reduce the operational expenditure of TCI Hospital and Primary Health care.
Daniel Carriere - TCI Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Doctor Denise Braithwaite Tennant - Chief of Medical Services and Tony Wilton – TCI Hospital’s Pharmacy Manager were in attendance. Doctor David Bernardo, a Medical Officer within the Primary Health care Department, accepted the supplies on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Human Services.
InterHealth Canada Corporate Board referred the international charity to the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital following the passage of Hurricane Irma. The Director of TCI’s Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies also provided guidance.
An application process was completed by the local hospital management team and pharmaceuticals of value were selected from the organization’s inventory via a collaborative effort with Primary Health care. The donated pharmaceuticals will be provided to patient’s free of charge and will not be billed to the National Health Insurance Plan.
Direct Relief is dedicated to serving the poor and victims of natural disasters and civil strife in the United States and throughout the world. Assistance is provided by distributing donated medical goods to charitable health care institutions and organizations. The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health.
Commenting on the handover, TCI Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Carriere said: “Direct Relief has been used in conjunction with InterHealth Canada in Sub-Saharan countries in Africa for humanitarian relief purposes. Hence, the company was familiar with the organization and the application process commenced. During any natural crisis, collaboration, cooperation and communication is essential among stakeholders. This is just one successful example of how these efforts can benefit both partners and the community at large.”
Former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick files grievance against NFL over alleged collusion
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging the owners colluded to keep him out of the league because of his protests during the playing of the national anthem before games.
The grievance alleges the league's owners "colluded to deprive Mr. Kaepernick of employment rights in retaliation for Mr. Kaepernick's leadership and advocacy for equality and social justice."
The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Instead of filing the grievance through the NFL Players Association, Kaepernick has hired attorney Mark Geragos, who has represented several high-profile clients, including Michael Jackson, former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield and Chris Brown.
Geragos said in a statement Sunday night that the grievance was filed "only after pursuing every possible avenue with all NFL teams and their executives."
Kaepernick's goal, he said, was just to be treated fairly and to return to playing football in the NFL, "the league her performed at the highest level for."
The NFL Players Association said in a statement that it had been in contact with Kaepernick for the past year about his options, but only today learned he had decided to file the grievance, through media reports.
"Our union has a duty to assist Mr. Kaepernick as we do all players and we will support him," the statement said, adding that the union is scheduling a call with his advisers for early this week.
Kaepernick, who has not been with an NFL team since he severed his contract with the 49ers in March, began his silent protest of kneeling during the anthem in the 2016 preseason. He told the media he was protesting against the treatment of blacks in the United States.
Source-ABC
Packers star Aaron Rodgers breaks collarbone
Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers broke right collarbone during Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings after a hit by linebacker Anthony Barr.
In the first quarter of the game, Barr was chasing Rodgers as the quarterback was looking for a receiver. As Rodgers threw the ball, Barr hit him in the midsection driving him to the ground. Rodgers hit the ground on his throwing shoulder.
The team said Rodgers could miss the remainder of the season.
Backup quarterback Brett Hundley took over for Rodgers in the 23-10 loss. Green Bay is expected to promote Joe Callahan from the practice squad to serve as Hundley's backup.
In 2013, Rodgers broke his left collarbone and missed seven starts. He is expected to miss the rest of this season because he broke the collarbone in his throwing arm.
In six games this season, Rodgers threw for 1,385 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Green Bay fell to 4-2 on the season.
Source-ABC
Reese Witherspoon says director assaulted her at the age of 16
Speaking at an ELLE Women in Hollywood event in Beverly Hills, the Oscar-winning actress said the events of the Harvey Weinstein sexual misconduct scandal over the past few days have reminded her about her own experiences.
"[Those experiences] have come back to me very vividly and I find it really hard to sleep, hard to think, hard to communicate a lot of the feelings that I’ve been having," Witherspoon says in a video posted by USA Today.
Witherspoon, now 41, says a director "assaulted me when I was 16 years old." She also said the incident as a teen wasn't an "isolated" one.
She also expressed her "guilt" for not speaking up earlier or "taking action," mixed with the "anger at the agents and the producers who made me feel that silence was a condition of my employment."
Dozens of women who have spoken out and continue to speak out against disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who's been accused of sexual misconduct by numerous women. A spokesperson for the movie executive has said, "Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein."
A social media campaign also began this week, with women and men posting the hashtag #metoo to highlight and empower victims of sexual assault. As of Tuesday morning, it had been retweeted more than a million times.
Actress Alyssa Milano was one of the first to share the call for a "Me too" hashtag, writing, "If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet."
Source-ABC
McCain slams "half-baked, spurious nationalism" sweeping US in passionate speech
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., slammed "half-baked, spurious nationalism" in an impassioned speech while accepting the Liberty Medal in Philadelphia on Monday evening.
McCain, who was presented with the medal by former Vice President Joe Biden, began by saying he was humbled by the award before eventually lashing out at the nationalism that has swept the U.S. and warning against leaving the nation's place of prominence in the international community.
"To fear the world we have organized and led for three-quarters of a century, to abandon the ideals we have advanced around the globe, to refuse the obligations of international leadership and our duty to remain the last best hope of earth for the sake of some half-baked, spurious nationalism cooked up by people who would rather find scapegoats than solve problems is as unpatriotic as an attachment to any other tired dogma of the past that Americans consigned to the ash heap of history," McCain said, to applause.
"We live in a land made of ideals, not blood and soil," he continued. "... We have done great good in the world. That leadership has had its costs, but we have become incomparably powerful and wealthy as we did."
He added: "We have a moral obligation to continue in our just cause, and we would bring more than shame on ourselves if we don't. We will not thrive in a world where our leadership and ideals are absent. We wouldn't deserve to."
In introducing McCain, Biden praised his "courage and loyalty."
"I can think of no better description for the man we’re honoring tonight," Biden said.
McCain revealed in July that he had been diagnosed with brain cancer. He has clashed with President Donald Trump over Republicans' repeated attempts to repeal and replace Obamacare, including most recently when he said he could not "in good conscience" vote for the Graham-Cassidy bill. In response, Trump called McCain's opposition to the bill "terrible, honestly terrible."
Source- ABC
Hunger in the Caribbean & Latin America will not be eradicated by 2030
Two international agencies says it is becoming “increasingly unlikely” that hunger will be eradicated in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the world's oldest international public health agency working to improve the health and well-being of people in the Americas and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said that hunger has increased in six countries and now affects 2.4 million people in the region.
They said that the total number of individuals that suffer from hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean has increased, reversing decades of progress, while overweight affects all age groups in men and women, and constitutes a major health problem in all countries in the region of the Americas.
PAHO and FAO have published a new study titled “Panorama of Food Security and Nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean 2017” which also highlights that after many years of gradual progress, in 2016, approximately 42.5 million persons did not have enough food for their daily caloric needs.
This is an increase of 2.4 million people, six per cent more of the undernourished population than the year before.
FAO Regional Representative, Julio Berdegué, said if this trend does not change “it will be very difficult for the region to reach Sustainable Development Goal 2 on eradicating hunger and malnutrition by 2030”.
While hunger levels remain low in Latin America and the Caribbean in comparison to the rest of the world, there are signs that the situation is getting worse, especially in South America, where hunger grew from five per cent in 2015 to 5.6 per cent in 2016, the PAHO/FAO added.
“We are heading along a bad path. The region has taken a significant step backwards in a fight that it was winning. We cannot tolerate the current levels of hunger and obesity, as they will paralyse the entire Latin American and Caribbean generation”, warned Berdegué.
The international agencies noted that only a few decades ago, regional governments joined forces to fight against acute malnutrition, chronic malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency, and now they must also fight against overweight and obesity.
“While malnutrition persists in the region, especially amongst vulnerable populations, it is now accompanied by overweight and obesity, affecting women more than anyone and also children”, said PAHO Director, Dr Carissa F Etienne.
“The region faces a double burden of malnutrition, to fight against it, we must ensure access to a balanced diet and tackle the primary social factors that cause malnutrition, such as, the lack of access to healthy foods that are low in sugar, salt and fat, to water and sanitation, to education and health services and to social protection programmes, amongst others”, the Dominica-born Dr Etienne added.
To address this situation, FAO and PAHO call on countries to transform their food systems in order to stop the advancement of hunger and malnutrition, paying special attention to the condition of the most vulnerable people, homes and territories.
The publication highlights that only through a great regional effort can the current trend be reversed, to return on the path that made Latin America and the Caribbean a global example of the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
Despite the fact that hunger increased in six countries and fell in 21, the absolute number of people suffering from hunger has increased.
The worse situation in terms of prevalence of hunger is in Haiti, where 47% of the population, that is approximately five million people, suffer from hunger. This number represents almost two-thirds of all undernourishment across countries of the Caribbean.
Although hunger at the regional level has increased, 21 countries of the region have lowered their level of undernourishment, including the Caribbean and Mesoamerican as a whole, between 2013/2015 and 2014/2016.
In Brazil, Cuba and Uruguay, the prevalence of undernourishment is less than 2.5 per cent, while in Argentina, Barbados, Chile, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago it is below five per cent.
Regarding overweight and obesity the two organisations note that they affect all age groups in men and women, and is a public health problem in all countries of the Americas.
The publication notes that in South America, 7.4 per cent (2.5 million) of the children under five years of age suffer from overweight and obesity, equivalent to six per cent of the children in Central America and 6.9 per cent of the children in the Caribbean.
“Furthermore, a third of the adolescents, and two thirds of the adults suffer from overweight and obesity, women being the most affected,” the publication noted, adding that while acute malnutrition has been practically eliminated from children under five years old in the region, there are already 11 per cent suffering from chronic malnutrition and seven per cent suffering from overweight.
“Nowadays, it is easy to find homes with one malnourished child and an overweight mother, or a chronically malnourished and overweight child or one with a vitamin and mineral deficiency”, Dr Etienne said.
She highlighted that “the consumption of over processed products is directly related to the increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity, as well as non-communicable diseases. It is in this area that we must intensify our efforts at the country level to help people to have access to healthy food”.